Aerial drone view of Sunny Holiday overwater resort

Sunny Holiday Resort

Experience a balanced overwater retreat floating above the Celebes Sea in Sabah. Enjoy comprehensive daily meals, easy reef access plus unforgettable island hopping right from our Semporna property.

Exterior view of the main resort and dining building Sunny Holiday

Semporna, Sabah

Welcome to Our Resort

Positioned just off Pulau Bum Bum, Sunny Holiday Resort offers a welcoming overwater experience in Semporna. Every room rests directly above the Celebes Sea with large glass windows to maximize ocean views. Guests arrive quickly via a straightforward speedboat transfer from the main town jetty.

Our location provides an excellent launch point for visiting Tun Sakaran Marine Park. This protected area features 346 square kilometers of thriving reefs alongside eight distinct islands. You can easily join snorkeling sessions, diving trips plus full-day island excursions directly from our dock.

Your booking includes three daily meals served buffet-style at our central dining space. Our kitchen prepares a mix of authentic Sabahan, Malaysian, Chinese alongside Western dishes. Our team is always ready to assist with boat schedules plus activity planning for your trip.

Your Accommodation

Rooms

Every space at Sunny Holiday Resort stands directly over the ocean. You will find private living areas with clear views across the Celebes Sea.

Room

An overwater room featuring a unique swinging bed, an in-floor soaking tub alongside wide glass windows facing the Celebes Sea. Highlights include woven decor, smooth timber floors plus air conditioning.

Family Room With Partial Sea View

A practical space offering two beds alongside partial ocean views. Features include warm hardwood flooring, wooden accents, colorful curtains plus air conditioning. Ideal for families seeking a comfortable base.

Sea View Room

An ocean-facing room offering sliding glass doors that open to a private balcony. Choose between twin or king beds. Includes dark timber floors, rattan styling plus air conditioning.

Bookings

Request a Reservation

Our team normally replies within 24 hours.

Local Adventures

Things to Do

Semporna serves as a famous gateway for aquatic exploration in Sabah. Guests at our property can effortlessly visit renowned destinations like Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Mabul Island plus the famous Sipadan dive site. Whether you prefer deep-sea diving or casual surface swimming, these waters showcase incredible biodiversity.

Encountering a sea turtle while snorkeling in Semporna Sunny Holiday

Snorkeling

Jump straight from our jetty to observe the lively reefs of the Celebes Sea. The warm waters hide giant clams, sea turtles alongside countless tropical fish species. We provide all necessary gear. Beginners plus non-swimmers are fully welcome with our guiding staff.

A professional dive buddy assisting scuba divers with Sunny Holiday in the Semporna archipelago.

Scuba Diving

The Semporna region hosts premier diving locations. This includes Sipadan Island, which ranks highly among global divers. Local licensed operators customize underwater trips for both first-timers taking introductory sessions plus advanced veterans. Please note Sabah Parks restricts Sipadan access to three dives daily per person starting May 1, 2026. You must secure permits well ahead of time.

Recreational kayaking activity in the turquoise sea Sunny Holiday

Sea Kayaking

Navigate the calm waters surrounding our property at your preferred speed. You can float above shallow coral patches or paddle toward quiet sandbars during low tide. We offer independent kayak rentals alongside guided half-day tours.

Boat excursion visiting the beautiful islands of Semporna Sunny Holiday

Island Hopping

Take a speedboat journey across the beautiful Tun Sakaran Marine Park. This flexible excursion brings you to soft sandy beaches plus rich reef habitats. It is a fantastic option for photographers, casual swimmers or anyone wanting a scenic day out.

Hiking the Bohey Dulang peak for an amazing viewpoint with Sunny Holiday in the Semporna Islands area.

Hiking Bohey Dulang

Trek up the 353-meter volcanic peak on Bohey Dulang Island. The 600-meter trail takes roughly 45 minutes to conquer. Once at the top, you will see a massive turquoise lagoon stretching across the ocean. Drink plenty of water plus wear proper footwear.

Scuba diving Sipadan to see giant sea turtles and fish with Sunny Holiday near Semporna.

Sipadan Diving

Sipadan remains a top-tier destination for underwater enthusiasts. You will navigate a dramatic 600-meter drop-off while encountering huge schools of jackfish at Barracuda Point. The area also shelters massive sea turtle populations. Access requires pre-arranged permits from certified dive centers.

Hiking the Bohey Dulang peak for an amazing viewpoint with Sunny Holiday in the Semporna Islands area.

Day Tour: Tun Sakaran Marine Park plus Hiking Bohey Dulang

Tun Sakaran Marine Park represents the largest marine reserve in Sabah. It covers 346 square kilometers of protected ocean across eight islands. This specific trip caters to hikers, nature enthusiasts plus snorkeling fans.

  • Climb Bohey Dulang for elevated ocean views
  • Visit Pulau Mantabuan alongside Pulau Sibuan
  • Swim in clear waters packed with fish
  • Observe healthy coral formations
  • Enjoy a complete day outdoors

Day Tour: Mataking, Timba-Timba plus Pom Pom Islands

Spend a full day visiting three peaceful destinations via speedboat from the main Semporna jetty. Mataking features a unique underwater post office alongside a natural sandbar. Timba-Timba provides excellent shallow reefs. Pom Pom delivers gentle waves perfect for spotting sea turtles.

  • Send mail from an underwater post office at Mataking
  • Glide over coral gardens at Timba-Timba
  • Swim with turtles in calm waters at Pom Pom
  • Experience three distinct reef zones
  • Includes boat transport, lunch plus marine fees
Exploring the beautiful sandbars of Pulau Mataking with Sunny Holiday in the Semporna Islands area.
Enjoying a transparent kayak ride through crystal clear waters with Sunny Holiday near the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Tun Sakaran Marine Park: Islands plus Reefs

This massive marine sanctuary rests just a brief boat ride away. Administered by Sabah Parks, the zone features eight islands including Sibuan, Mantabuan plus Bodgaya. Visitors pay a minor entry fee to access these incredible volcanic lagoons.

  • Reach eight protected islands quickly by boat
  • Swim within the famous Coral Triangle
  • Float safely inside shallow volcanic lagoons
  • Spot exotic birds alongside marine creatures
  • Perfect for families wanting a relaxed day

Day Tour: Mabul plus Kapalai Islands Snorkeling

These locations offer underwater biodiversity that competes with the best sites globally. Mabul holds a strong reputation for macro photography plus muck diving. Our itinerary features a scheduled lunch stop at the Mabul Water Bungalows. Afterward, you will jump straight from the boat to explore Kapalai's rich waters. You might even purchase fresh seafood directly from passing Bajau Laut houseboats.

  • Stop at Mabul Water Bungalows for pictures
  • Swim through highly diverse reef systems
  • Find sea turtles hiding among tropical fish
  • Wave to local Bajau Laut fishermen
  • Enjoy boat-based snorkeling around Kapalai
Scenic view of Mabul Island during a guest tour Sunny Holiday
Exploring the Sipadan Island coral reefs with Sunny Holiday in the Celebes Sea.

Day Tour: Sipadan Island (Permits Required)

Sipadan sits atop an ancient volcanic cone dropping 600 meters into the depths. This strict marine reserve limits daily visitor numbers to protect its 160 hectares of coral. Divers routinely spot thousands of schooling fish, bumphead parrotfish plus countless sea turtles. You must book your mandatory permit through a recognized dive operator early.

  • Explore deep wall drop-offs like Hanging Gardens
  • Witness massive vortexes of barracuda
  • Swim alongside green plus hawksbill turtles
  • Encounter resting white-tip reef sharks
  • Strict permit system ensures protected access
Scuba diving at Sipadan Island with Sunny Holiday

Scuba Diving Sipadan Package

Most Sipadan trips launch from resorts near Mabul. If you want to combine your stay at Sunny Holiday Resort with Sipadan diving, we suggest adding a few nights at a specialized dive lodge. Reach out to our team so we can help structure your dual-location itinerary.

Sipadan dive spots remain legendary. Here is a brief guide for planning your underwater visit.

Annual closure: Sipadan enforces a conservation break from November 1 to November 30 every year. Diving operations restart on December 1. You must arrange Sipadan permits through a certified operator. Contact us if you need help booking these permits.

Barracuda Point

Massive groups of schooling barracuda gather here alongside hunting sharks on the northeast corner.

Drop Off

A steep vertical wall near the dock featuring soft corals plus resting turtles on narrow ledges.

South Point

Stronger currents draw pelagic species to this southern edge. Divers occasionally spot hammerhead sharks here.

Turtle Patch

An eastern seagrass zone providing optimal feeding grounds for huge sea turtle populations.

Hanging Gardens

A scenic wall covered in colorful sea fans where macro life like pygmy seahorses thrive.

Multi day island hopping tour packages with Sunny Holiday in the Semporna archipelago.

Multi-Day Package: Semporna Island Hopping

Experience the absolute best of Semporna with our multi-day packages. You can select a pure snorkeling journey or add the Bohey Dulang hike. This flexible schedule welcomes non-divers, children plus beginners. You will safely explore top sites like Pandanan Reef, Mataking plus Kapalai without needing a scuba certification.

  • Pick between a pure swim package or a hiking combo
  • Visit premier sites like Mataking alongside Timba-Timba
  • Completely accessible for non-swimmers plus kids
  • Covers all meals, boat rides plus snorkel gear
  • Move at a comfortable pace without rushing

On-Site Recreation

  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Relaxing
  • Sunrise Watching
  • Sunset Watching

Dining

Food & Beverages

Every reservation at Sunny Holiday Resort features three daily meals at our central dining area. We serve breakfast, lunch plus dinner in a relaxed buffet format. Our cooking team prepares fresh plates inspired by Chinese, Western alongside traditional Sabahan recipes.

Breakfast

Start your morning with sunny-side-up eggs, baked beans plus fresh toast. We mix classic Western choices with local Sabahan favorites alongside seasonal fruit.

Lunch

Enjoy fragrant curries, stir-fried vegetables plus spicy sambal over rice. We also serve comforting noodle dishes based on authentic regional home cooking.

Dinner

Feast on a broad buffet featuring Malaysian, Chinese plus Western selections. We always provide vegetarian dishes. Let our staff know about any specific dietary needs when booking.

Drinks

We supply drinking water free of charge. You can purchase fresh juices, sodas, tea plus coffee from our counter. Alcoholic drinks require an additional fee.

Fresh Seafood BBQ (Optional)

Request a special seafood barbecue for an upgraded dinner experience. We grill fresh local catches including prawns, squid plus reef fish right over the fire. This incurs an extra charge so please ask during reservation.

Dietary Notes

Our kitchen happily accommodates vegetarian requests at every meal service. Inform us of any allergies prior to arrival so we can prepare accordingly.

Close up of fresh food on the guest buffet table Sunny Holiday

Travel Plan

Getting Here

By Air — Tawau Airport (TWU)

Your journey begins by flying into Tawau Airport (TWU), the primary entry point for Semporna. Major domestic airlines like Malaysia Airlines plus AirAsia run regular daily routes here.

  • From Kota Kinabalu (BKI): roughly 50 minutes direct
  • From Kuala Lumpur (KUL): under three hours direct
  • From Singapore (SIN): connect via Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur
  • From Beijing (PEK) or Shanghai (PVG): connect via Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu
  • From Seoul (ICN): connect via Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu

Tawau Airport to Semporna — Road Transfer

Sunny Holiday Resort coordinates private SUV or van transport from Tawau Airport directly to the Semporna town jetty.

  • Distance: roughly 85 kilometers
  • Travel time: 90 minutes by car
  • Ride-hailing apps work here though wait times vary during rush hour

We pick up guests directly from Tawau Airport, Tawau city center or specific Semporna meeting points.

Semporna Jetty to the Resort — Speedboat Transfer

Once you arrive at the jetty, our team will guide you onto a quick speedboat ride directly to our property. This brief journey gives you an immediate introduction to the beautiful Celebes Sea.

We naturally handle your return transit to the airport when your holiday ends. Simply share your arrival details after booking so we can arrange everything properly.

Transfer Coordination

Please share your incoming flight schedule early to guarantee smooth pickups. Use our contact form to discuss large group logistics or special requirements.

Travel Tips

  • Secure Tawau flights well in advance during peak seasons.
  • Carry physical Malaysian Ringgit as our property lacks an ATM.
  • Visit between March and October for the clearest underwater visibility.

Feedback

Guest Reviews

What past guests have said about staying at Sunny Holiday.

A comfortable overwater stay in the Semporna area with good sea views and a quiet atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and helped arrange activities during our visit. The setting over the water provided a pleasant backdrop throughout the stay. A good option for those looking for a simple and relaxing time in the Semporna islands.

Hannah W.
United Kingdom

A pleasant stay with clear water around the accommodation and friendly staff. The sea views from the room were enjoyable and the atmosphere was calm throughout. A good base for exploring the nearby islands and snorkeling spots in the Semporna area. Staff were helpful with arrangements throughout our visit.

Hafiz H.
Malaysia

A simple and honest overwater resort with good sea views and a relaxed character. The staff were friendly and attentive. The water around the property is clear and the setting is peaceful. A solid choice for anyone wanting a quiet getaway in the Semporna island area without a lot of fuss.

Liang Z.
China